Illuminating device



June 12, 1928. 1,673,319

- M. F. DEMING ILLUMINAT I NG DEVICE Filed May 6, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet l gum/"tor,

Mace ifiemiiz 15 24 51% 7mm m June 12, 1928.

M. F. DEMING I-LLUMINATING DEVICE Filed May 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 u n w vw 3 NM 3 ow u w 0 n u u 9 a; b 3 B i m. 2 z 2 June 12. 1928.

4Sheets -Sheet 4 M. F. DEMING ILLUMINATING DEVICE Filed May 6, 1924 Patented June 12, 1928. i

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MACEY F. DEMING, OF TAPIPAN, NEW YORK.

ILLUMINATING DEVICE.

Application filed May 6, 1924. Serial No. 711,372.

The present invention relates to lighting specification, in whichFigure 1 is an elevaor illuminating devices, and especially to tion of the device as viewed from the rear. road lighting or vehicle lamps, the invention Fig. 2 is an elevation of the device 'as generally being of the type described and viewed from the side and partly in section; claimed in my co-pending applications Serial Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view No. 576,5 l5, filed July 21, 1922, and Serial showing the manner of supporting the 're- No. 682,656, filed December 26, 1923, and fiector at a slight inclination. consisting broadly of two identical lamp Figure 4:, is a front view of the device as structures, the one superimposed on the used in pairs and supportedon a motor ve other, each lamp structure comprising a rehicle. i

flector, and the reflectors being movable in Figure 5, is a fragmental detail view of different planes. electric light bulbs having light obstructions One object of the invention. is to provide thereon. j an illuminating device that canbe readily Figure 6, is a, fragmental detail view of adapted to meet special lighting requirethe reflectors having non-reflecting sector ments. v portions.

Another object of' the inventionis to pro- Figures 7 to 15 inclusive, are diagramvide means for projecting alight composed matic views. A

of a plurality of separate luminous pencils. Fig; 16 is a fragmentary detail view part- Another object is to provide a lamp for ly in section showing the manner of securprojecting light composed of a plurality of ing the electromagnets and means for eleseparate luminous pencils and means appurvat-mg or lowermg the same.

tenant to the lamp whereby each of the lumi Similar reference characters denote siminous pencils 1S caused to be moved through lar parts throughout the several views;

25 an (mate th, The device comprises the main'supporting Another object is to provide a lamp for member 15, of angle metal as shown. in the projecting light composed of a plurality of I form of a rigid skeleton frame, oblong in separate luminous pencils, the lamps having shape, the flange of the angle metal extendmeans whereby each. of the luminous pencils ing rearwardly. The supporting member 15 so is moved through an arcuate path and by is divided into'two equal frame portions 16 89 steps through a limited portion of said arcuand 17 by the transverse cross-piece 18', also ate path. of angle metal. rigidly secured at each of its Another object is to provide a lamp for ends to the side strips of the supporting projecting light composed of a plurality of member.

25 separate luminous pencils, the lamp having The reflector carrier 19 is of angle metal means whereby each. of the luminous pencils and of frame form conforming in shape to is caused to make an angle with the axis of the interior space of the frame portion 16 of the means by which the pencil is projected the supporting me ber 15 and is pivotally and to make an angle with another of the secured to the top strip' of the supporting 4" luminous pencils of which the light promember as by thehingeQO, so that'the reon ject-ed from the lamp is composed. fiector carrier 19 can be swung or moved Another object is to provide a dual lamp through a vertical arcuate path. y structure constituting a road illuminating The reflector carrier 21 if of angle metal system. and of frame form conforming in shape to jects as may hereinafter appear, by the inthe supporting member 15 and is pivotally vention one of the possible embodimentsof secured to the side strip ofthe' supporting which is described by way of example in the member as by. the hinge 2 2, so, that the resubjoined specification and shown in the acfiector carrier 21 can be swung or moved I I attain these objects, and such other obthe interior space of theframe portion 17 of companying drawings forming part of the through a horizontal arcuate path. 7

The upper or superimposed reflector R is secured at the peripheral edge thereof to the extending flange of the reflector carrier 19 as by bolts 23 passing through the reflector R and carrier 19, only one 01" the bolts 23 for convenience being shown, the loca tion of the other similar bolt being readily understood, and the lower reflector R is secured at the peripheral edge thereof to the reflector carrier 21, as by the bolts 24. and. 25, passing through the reflector R and carrier 21, the bolt 23, shown, and the bolt 25 each being adjustable and each provided with a spacer such as 26 located between the flange of the reflector R or R, as the case may be, and the flange of the reflector carrier 19 or 21, as the case may be whereby the face line of the respective reflectors may be caused to lie at a slight inclination relative to the line of the reflector carrier as shown at 27, Fig. 3. Thus by means of the spacer 26 the reflector is maintained at an angle to the carrier, which angle may be varied by inserting a second spacer, the reflector thus having an angular relation to the carrier without movement of the carrier. The reflectors may be turned and cured at a diflerent angle relative to their carriers by engaging these bolts in and employing the spacers with the holes such as 23 of the reflector R and the holes 24 ot the reflector R.

The reflector carrier 19 has near the lower end thereof rigidly secured to the flanges of the side strips of the reflector carrier at each of its ends the horizontally and rearwardly extending bracket 28. and the reflector car rier 21 has at one side thereof rigidly secured at its upper end to the top strip of the reflector carrier and at its lower end rigidly secured to the lower end strip of the flector carrier 19, the Vertically extending bracket 29, the brackets 28 and 29 being of angle metal with the flanges inwardly and in form being rectangular skeleton frames.

The upper armature carrier 30 is secured to the bracket 28 by adjustable bolts 31 and 31*, engaging slots 32 and 33 spaced apart in the upper portion of the carrier 30, the bolts 31 and 31 engaging in the slots and being provided with the washers 3-4: and 35 engaging the rearward face of the carrier 30 whereby the carrier 30 is held in position and is slidably adjustable upwardly and downwardly.

The lower armature carrier 36 is secured to the bracket 29 by the adjustable bolts 37 and 38, engaging slots 39 and 40 spaced apart in the inward portion of the carrier 36, the bolts 37 and 38 engaging in the slots and being provided with the washers 41 and 42 whereby the carrier 36 is held in position and is slidably adjustable inwardly and outwardly.

The upper armature carrier 30 at the low er end thereof has secured thereto the armature 43 having the contact faces 43 and it, and the lower armature carrl 'r 36 has secured thereto the armature having the contact faces 4-5 and 46, the armature -13 cooperating with the elertromagnets M and M and the armature 4.3 cooperating with the electroniagncts ill and M. In prac tice as may be readily understood instead of arn'iatures, such as the armatures l2, and 15, a plate armature may be secured to each side of the carriers and extending below the lower edges of the carriers.

The fixed horizontal base plate 47 is of rectangular form and is secured to the crosspicce 18 of the supporting member .15 and is provided with the wing bolls -13 and 4-9, passing through the plate for the pur 'iose later stated. the base plate 47 being located at the bottom of the reflector It.

The fixed vertical base plate 50 i similar to the base plate 47 and is rigidly secured to a side strip of the su 'iporting member 15 and is provided with the Wing bolts 51 and 52 passing through the plate for the purpose later stated, the base plate 50 being: lo-"ated at one side of the reflector R.

The forward end portion of the slidable horizontal base plate 531 is located on the fixed horizontal base plate 17, being secured by the wing bolts 48 and 49 passing through slots 54 and 55 in the forward end portion of the slidable base plate, this plate thus being slidably movable forwardly and rearwardly on the fixed base plate 47. The slidahle horizontal base plate has secured to its upper surface near the edge of the forward end portion of the plate at opposite sides of the plate a pair of angle brackets 56 and 56 of similar form having slots 56" and 56", one of which denoted by 56 is shown by Fig 2, and the plate 53 has secured to its upper surface near the edge of the rear 'ard end portion of the plate at opposite sides of the plate a pair of angle brackets 57 and 58 of similar construction to the first mentioned angle brackets, this pair of angle brackets having in their upper ends slots 57 and 58.

The forward end portion of the, slidable vertical base plate (31 is located on the fixed vertical base plate 50, being secured by the wing bolts (32 and 63 passing through slots (34; and 65in the forward end portion of the slidable plate, this movable forwardl and rearwardtv on the fixed vertical base plate 50.

The rod 72 threaded at each end is supported at its inner end in the slot 56 of the angle bracket 56 and is supported at its oppositc end in the slot 56 of the forwardly alined bracket 56, adjusting nuts 74; and 75 being arranged on the threaded ends of the rod 72 bearing against the outer faces of the-brackets and stop nuts 76 and 77 being plate thus being slidably 72 {111Cl78 are adj arranged on the threaded ends of the rod 72 bearing against the inner faces oi the brackets, similar arrangement being made as to the threaded rod 78, whereby the rods u ablv movable in the slots of the respective brac i by which they are supported and the rods 72 and '78 may be raised or lowered a correspondence with up ward or-downward movement of the upper armature carrier 30 and locked in this posi tion.

The rod '79 threaded at each end is supported at its inner end in the slot 57* of the angle bracket and is supported at its opposite end in the slot 58 ot' the forwardly alined bracket 58 adjusting nuts and Si being arranged on the threaded ends or the rod 79 bearing against the outer faces of the brackets and stop nuts and 83 being arranged on the threaded ends 01' the rod 7%) bearing against the inner flfaces of the brackets. similar r.rrangementbeing made as to the threaded rod d, whereby. the rods '50 and Si may lw'nr ved outwardly or inwardly in correspondence with outward or inward movement of the lower armature carrier G50 and locked in this position.

The spring 85 is irranged around the rod 72, Figs. l andQ, ffOYWLItllY- of the armature carrier 30, the forward end of this spring bearing against the washer 86 and .iis washcrin turn bearing against theadpistable stop nut Ellthe rearward end or the spring 85 bearingagainst thevwashcr so and the tendency of this spring being to retain the armature :3 in normal neutral position between theopposed magnets M M and to, return the armature carrier tothis neutral position after movement thereof forwardly by the magnets M, the stop nut 8T being available iorincreasing or decreasing the tension of the spring. i

The spring as is arranged around the rod T2 rearwardly oi? the vertical armature car rier 80 the rearward end of thi spring bearing against the washer s9 andthis wash; er. in turn bearing against the adJustabie stop nut 90, the forward end of the spring bearing against the washer 89 the tendency of the spring 88 being to retain the armature carrier 30 in normal neutral position between the opposed magnets M and-iii? and to return the armature carrier to. this neutral position after ,HMQVGKHGDJC thereor rearwardly by the magnets M the stopnut 90 being available tor increasing or decreasing the tension of the spring. Springs not cmi -xeniently shown but idcntical with the above described springs are arranged in an identical manner on thorod T87 and. tor the same purpose as the springs 85 and 88. r The upper armature 43 is proyided with the side recesses 91 and 92 Fig, 16, these recesses permitting play ofthe armature on the rods 78 and 72, and also permitting arcuate movement of the armaturecarrler 30 when the armature carrier is moved by the magnets M M and serves as a lever for moving the reflector carrier 19.

A spring 93 is arrangediaround the rod 79 inwardly of the lower arn'iature carrier 30 hearing at its inner end on the washer 9st which in turn bears on the :uljust-able stop nut 95, and hearing at the opposite end against a washer similar to the washer 86 not seen on the rod; the spring 96 is arranged around the rod 79 outwardly of the armature carrier 36 bearing at its inner end on the washer 97 which in turn bearson the adjustable nut 97 and bearing atthe opposite end against a washer not seen, on the rod; the spring 88 is arranged around the rod Set inwardly of the armature carrier 36 hearing at one end on the washer 99 which in turn bears on the adjustable nut 100 and bearing at the opposite end against a washer not seen similar to the washer 86, on the rod and the spring 101 is arranged around the rod 84L outwardly of the armature carrier 36bearing at one end on the Washer 102 which in turn bears on the adjustable nut 103 and hearing at the opposite endagainst a washer, not seen, on the rod, all thelast mentioned springs being similar to the first described springs and performing similar i notions relative to the armature carrier 36 that the first mentioned springs perform relative to the armature carrier 30. i i

The lower armature 45 is provided with side recesses not conveniently shown for a purpose similar to the side recesses 91 and 92, but relative to the magnets M M and thercflector carrier 21. v h p It will be noted that the armature can riers 30 and 36 and armaturesi l3 and d5 as some three different positions, that is, a normal middle or neutral position when none of the magnets are energized, a forward orinward position when one set of magnets is energized, and a rearward or outward posi tion when the other set o'l'inagnets is energized, thebefore mentioned springs serving toreturn the armature carriers to middle or neutral position after movement by the magnets and to retain the armatures in this middie or neutral position when'not under the influence of the magnets and as well to pre vent vibration or whipping of the armature carrier's when the illuminating device is subjected to jarring movement.

Theelectromagnets M NP, M M are adjustably secured to the upper surfaces of the slidable horizontal base plate 53 and slidable vertical base plate 61lby metal bands or straps, snchas 106 and 107 shown in Figs. 1,2 and 116, relative to the magnets M M these straps having apertured out-turned ends 108 and 109, the straps being held by adjustable bolts such as 110. and lll. By

releasing these bolts the magnets may be moved to a higher plane relative to the plane of the respective slidable base plates, and by inserting a tiller F, of wood or other suitable material under the magnets they may be blocked up when the armature carriers or 36 are raised or moved inwardly, as the case may be, for bringing the magnets into cooperating relation with the respective armaturcs.

The magnets M M M U are respectively provided with suitable wires, not shown, these wires being connected to a suitable switch, not shown, which is connected to a suitable supply of electricity. also not shown,

whereby the magnets may be energized or de-energized at will.

The reflectors RR are circular concavoconvex. The reflector -R is provided at its rear with a neck 113, the axial line of this neck coinciding with the line of axis of the reflector R, and the reflector R is provided on its rearward side with a neck 114, the axial line of this neck coinciding with the line of axis of the reflector R. The sleeve 115 having at its forward end the bayonet fastening slot 116 and at its rearward end the bayonet fastening slot 117 is slidably inserted in the neck 113. and the sleeve 118 having at its inward end the bayonet fastening slot 119 and having at its outward end the bayonet fastening slot 120 is slidably inserted in the neck 11 1.

The electric light bulb 121 is secured at its socket end in the bayonet fastening slot 116, and the electric light bulb 122 is secured at its socket end in the bayonet fastening slot 116, the filament 123 of the bulb 121 being on the line of the axis of the reflector R and the filament 124 of the bulb 122 being on the line of axis of the reflector R, the foremost point of the filament 123 being rcarwardly of and spaced from the focal point of the reflector It, and the outermost point of the filament 124 being lnwardly of and spaced away from the focal point of the reflector R, it being understood that in the drawings it is possible to show only with approximate accuracy the positions of the respective filaments and the filament points relative to said axial lines and focal points. The filament is placed wholly rearwardly of the focal point to obtain the best distance light. and is placed wholly forwardly of the focal point to obtain a spreading near by light.

As one suitable means for the purpose the bulb 121 is operatively connected to the bayonet plug 125 secured in the slot 117 of the sleeve 115, and the bulb 122 is operatively connected to a bayonet plug 126 secured in the slot 120 of the sleeve 118, the respective plugs being connected by wires not shown to suitable switches, not shown, connected to a suitable supply of electricity, also being in three positons; (1)

not shown, for lighting or extinguishing the electric light bulbs 121 and 122 at will.

It will be noted that the bulbs 121. and 122 constitute sources of light or means for providing light located on the axial lines of the reflectors rearwardly or forwardly, as the case may be, of the focal points of the reflectors and remote from or spaced away from the focal points of the reflectors.

The bulbs 121 and 122 have at their sprue ends circular light obstructors such as 130, Figs. 2 and 7, of non-transparent material, these light obstructors thus being located transversely of the axial lines of the reflectors and positioned between the forwardly or outer ends, as the case may be, of the filaments of the respective bulbs and the planes of the face openings of the respective reflectors, the central points of the obstructors being on the axial lines of the reflectors.

The reflector R, Figs. 2 and 6, is provided with a non-reflecting sector 132, the base of which is the central horizontal diamctric line of the reflector R, and the reilector R is provided with a non-reflecting sector 133, the base of which is the central vertical diametric line of the reflector R.

The device may be provided with a suitable housing and with a suitable protective face and may be mounted on a motor vehicle by suitable brackets.

The double or duplex lamps are mounted on the vehicle in pairs Fig. 4, each one of the pair projecting two luminous pencils each bounded partly by a curved line and partly by a right line as shown in Fig. 13. The luminous pencil of this form is produced by placing the filament of the electric light bulb on the axial line of the reflector wholly remote from the focal point, rearwardly of the focal point thereof if a long narrow luminous pencil is desired, and forwardly of the focal point if a widely divergent luminous pencil is wanted.

After the desired type of luminous pencil has been produced by positioning the filament of the electric bulb on the axial line of the reflector, the wing bolts of the electromagnets carrier or base plate are loosened and the magnets moved backward or forward with the slidable base plate until the luminous pencil is located in a desired position as shown in Figs. 5, 8 and 9, when the wing bolts are locked in position. If a similar luminous pencil from each of the pair of lamps is given the same direction and location, the result will be as shown in Fig. 13. But one of two similar luminous pencils may be set to extend beyond the other as shown in Fig. 14 by moving the electromagnet carrier of one lamp forward or backward of the electromagnet carrier of the other similar lamp.

The electromagnets admit of the armature in contact with the forward electromagnets, (2 in a position between the electrom'agnets, and (3') in contact with the rear electromagnets. The space between the armature and magnets may be adjusted to correspond to degrees of arc, or to a fixed lateral or vertical distance through which the luminous pencil is to move at any desired distance ahead of the lamp as shown in Fig. 15. By having the luminous pencil partly bounded by a right line, as Fig. 7, the location of the light can be made with precision. By adjusting two luminous pencils as in Fig. 14: it is possible to have a plurality of spaces over which the light can be moved in succession, one pencil being extinguished after it has reached its limit of movement. YVhen a luminous pencil with a side bounded by a right line in a vertical plane is projected from each of the pair of lights shown in Fig. 4:, the result will be as shown in Fig. 9. That is, there will be an unilluminated space between the pairof lamps with light in s diverging to the sides.

When two vehic es meet with luminous pencils as shown in Fig. 9, if each extinguishes its right luminous pencil the result will be as in Fig. 10, that is, both sides of the road will be illuminated. V

If the electromagnet carriers of the lamp projecting the side luminous pencils Fig. '9, are moved so as to cause the reflectors to be at an angle with the axis of the device as shown in Fig. 11, and the opposite side-s of the reflectors are made non-reflecting, or the filaments are placed on the opposite side of the focal point on the axialline, the luminous pencils will cross as in Fig. 12, producing a non-illuminated space in the center. By adjustment of the angle of crossing full illumination of the road may be had for any predetermined distance ahead and the light will be invisible to eyes facing it beyond this distance and the eyes are in the unilluminated space between the luminous pencils.

Having thus described my invention it shoul l be understood that there may be modiiications of and variations therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

'What I claim and desire to protect by Let-' ters Patent is 1. In an illuminating system, in combination, aframe supported for swinging movement, a reflector carried by said frame and movable therewith, a bracket secured to said frame for moving the frame, axially alined electro-magnets spaced apart at their adja cent ends, an armature carried by said bracket and disposed between the spaced ends of said magnets and actuatable by either of the magnets when one magnet is energized and the other magnet is de-energized, and means for normally maintaining said armature in neutral position between a the reflector, and

the ends of said magnets when neither of the magnets is energized. f

2. In an illuminating system, in combination, a framesupported for swinging movement, a reflector carried bysaid frame at'an inclination to the plane of the fac oli the frame and movable with the frame, a bracket secured to saidframe for moving tl'i'eframe, axially alined electromag'nets spaced apart at their adjacent ends,'an armature carried by said bracket and disposed betw'ee'i'rthe spaced ends of said magnets and actuatabl'e by either of the magnets when one of the magnets is energized and the other magnet is de-energized, and means for normally armature in neutral position between the ends of saidv magnets when neither of the magnets is energized.

3. A duplezi illuminating system including a supporting means, a first reflector sup ported by said means ment, a second reflector similar to the first reflector and supported by said means for swinging movement, the reflectors being supported by said means in alineme'nt the one above the other, the swinging movement of one reflector being at an angle to theswin'ging movement of the other reflector, each reflector having on its face a reflecting portion maintaining said and a non-reflecting portion, said portions 7 of one reflector being arranged at a angle relative to said portions of the other r'efle'ctor, a source of light located on the line of axis of each reflector for cooperating with means including axially alined electro-magnets and an armature cooperating therewith the respective reflectors. U

4. A duplex illuniinating system including a supporting means, a first reflector supported by said means for swinging movement, a second reflector similar to the first reflector and supported by said means for swinging movement, the reflectors being supported by said means in alinement the one above the other, the swinging movement of one reflector being at an angle to the swinging movement of the other reflector, each reflector having on its face a reflecting portion and a non-reflecting portion, said portions of one reflector being arranged at an angle relative to said portions of the other reflector, a source of light located on the line of axis of each reflector and movable forwardly and rearwardly on said line relative to the focal point of the reflector and provided with means for partly obstructing the light of said source, and means including axially alined electro-magnets and an armature cooperating therewith for swingingly moving the respective reflectors. l

5. A duplex illuminating system including a supporting means, a frame supported by said means for swinging movement, a first reflector supported by said frame at an infor swinging movefor swingingly moving inc clination to the face of the frame and movable with the frame, a second reflector similar to the first reflector and supported by said frame at an inclination to the face of the frame and movable with the frame, said reflectors being supported by said frame in alinement the one above the other, the swinging movement of one reflector being at an angle to the swinging movement of the other reflector, each reflector having on its face a reflecting portion and a non-reflecting portion, said portions of one reflector being arranged at an angle relative to said portions of the other reflector, an electric lamp located on the line of? axis of each reflector and movable torwardhv and rear ardly on said line relative to the focal point of the reflector and having on the radiant end of the lamp means for partly obstructing the light of the lamp, and means including axially alined electromagnets and an armature cooperating therewith for swingingly moving the respective reflectors.

G. In a duplex road illuminating system, in combination, a first reflector movable through a horizontal arcuate path, a second reflector similar in form to the first reflector and n1ov able through a vertical arcuate path, said reflectors being disposed one above the other so that the face edges of the reflectors are in substantially the same vertical plane, each of said reflectors having a reflecting portion and a non-reflecting portion. the reflecting portion of one reflector being arranged at an anglc to the reflecting portion of the other reflector, and a source of light arranged on the line of axis of each of said reflectors for cooperating with the reflector.

7. In a duplex road illuminating system,

in combination, a first reflector movable through a horizontal areuate path, a second reflector similar in form to the first reflector and movable through a vertical arcuate path, said reflectors being disposed one above the other so that the face edges of the reflectors are in substantially the same vertical plane, each of said reflectors having a reflecting portion and a non-reflecting portion, the reflecting portion of one reflector being arranged at an angle to the reflecting portion of the other reflector, a source of light arranged on the line of :lXis of each of said reflectors for cooperating with the reflector, and means appurtenant to each source of light for partly obstructing the light emanating therefrom.

8. In a road illuminating system, in combination, alined electroimignets, an armature disposed between the active ends of said magnets and actuatable by either of the mag nets when the other magnet is not energized, means for raising or lowering said armature, and means for raising or lowering said magnets in conformity to the raisin or lowering to the armature.

9. In a road illuminating system, in combination, alined electromagnets, an armature disposed between the active ends of paid magnets and actuatable by either of' the magnets when the other magnet is not energized,

yieldable means for maintaining the armature in neutral position between the magnets when neither of the magnets is energized, means for raising or lowering said armature. and means for raising or lowering said magnets in COHfOl'D']lli Y to the raising or lowering of the armature.

MACEY F. DEMING. 

